Workout garment

ABSTRACT

A workout garment device consisting of a dickie and a hood, the front panel of the dickie comprising a moisture absorbing material for wiping sweat from a user&#39;s face, and the hood and back panel of the dickie each comprising a moisture wicking material for wicking sweat away from the user&#39;s head and shoulders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel device in the area of workoutapparel. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention pertainto a workout garment device consisting of a dickie and a hood, thegarment comprising both a moisture wicking material and a moistureabsorbing material.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Many people perspire on their head and neck when exercising, but may nothave access to a towel or other item for wiping away such perspiration,potentially allowing sweat to get into their eyes and otherwise leavethem uncomfortable or distracted while exercising. Even if a towel isavailable, it may not be easily carried while exercising, and if itdrops on the ground it may become soiled and undesirable for use.Further, because perspiration functions as a cooling mechanism for thebody, a person's head and/or neck may become sweaty while exercisingvigorously, and subsequently become cold while performing less vigorousexercises. A towel is not convenient for keeping a person's head or neckwarm while exercising, particularly if it cannot be securely tucked intoa shirt or other garment.

Wearing a hooded sweatshirt can help with these problems. However, aperson may not want to wear a full hooded sweatshirt due to its bulk,which can reduce range of movement or get caught on exercise equipment,or the fact that it blocks heat from escaping which has been releasedfrom a wearer's torso and arms. Additionally, the pockets of a hoodedsweatshirt are not ideal for securing keys, wallets, phones, or othermusic players, as the pockets typically open horizontally and without afastener, allowing items to fall out due to the movement of normalexercise routines, and plug-in earphone wires running from the pocketall the way up to a user's ears can easily get caught on exerciseequipment or other objects.

Another options is an absorbent wrap which is wrapped around the headand/or neck and secured by engaging a fastening device (e.g., a pair ofstrings or fasting strips of Velcro). However, absorbent wraps do notserve the dual function of wicking sweat away from the skin of the user,and they may fall off if the fastening device becomes disengaged duringvigorous exercise.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved workout garment devicewhich avoids these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved workout garment device.Embodiments of the present invention provide a lightweight workoutgarment device having a hood with sweat wicking capability, a dickiewith sweat absorbing capability, and a pocket for securely holdingpersonal items and/or technological devices, or for stuffing the hoodinto when the hood is not in use.

The workout garment may be capable of wicking sweat from the head of theuser via the hood, while at the same time the front panel of the dickiemay be used to absorb sweat from the face and neck of the user by wipingor dabbing. The back panel and shoulders portion of the dickie may alsobe made at least in part from a moisture wicking material to increasethe cooling effect of the workout garment. The workout garment can beworn with the hood up, and when the hood is not desired it can be tuckedinto a pocket on the back panel of the dickie. The pocket may have avertical orientation with a horizontal opening such that personal itemsor mobile devices placed in the pocket are less likely to fall out thanthey would be in the pocket of a hooded sweatshirt. For furthersecurity, the pocket may have a fastener such as Velcro strips or azipper. The pocket may have a small diameter passage within the pocketso that an earphone wire running from a music player or other mobiledevice in the pocket may pass through the passage and to the user's earswithout having to wrap around the outside of the hood, reducing thechance that the wire(s) may get caught on exercise equipment or otherobjects.

The workout garment may have a slit running from the chin area of thehood down through a portion of the front panel to make it easier to putthe garment on and take it off. The slit may have a fastening devicesuch as a zipper or Velcro so that it can be secured in a closedposition when being worn, or in an open position in order to increaseairflow to a user's neck area. The workout garment may be shaped so thatit will not easily fall off of the user while performing vigorousexercises (e.g., running, bicycling, stationary bicycling, skiing orsnowboarding, weight lifting, aerobics, calisthenics, and other modernexercises such as aerobic kickboxing, etc.) even if the slit is leftopen. The workout garment may subsequently keep the user's head and neckwarm while performing less vigorous exercises (e.g., stretching, yoga,walking, light jogging, etc.). Further, the hood may have a drawstringrunning around the facial opening so that the user can tighten the hoodaround his or her face. In some embodiments, the hood may be removablyattached to a collar and/or a shoulder area of the garment by afastening mechanism, such as a zipper, Velcro patches, button snaps, orother fastening devices.

In some embodiments, the hood may comprise a collar portion, a facialopening, and a head pocket. The collar portion may comprise acircumferential extension (e.g., a tubular shape) capable of wrappingabout a neck of a user. The collar portion may extend from the neck holeof the dickie to the facial opening and head pocket of the hood. In someembodiments, the collar portion may comprise an elasticity such that itmay stretch outwardly in order to fit over the head and then retract tofit snugly on the neck of the user. In some embodiments, the hood isdetachable and may connect to the collar portion, which is fixedlyattached and integral to the garment. For example, the hood may attachto the collar by a fastening mechanism, such as a zipper, Velcropatches, button snaps, or other fastening devices.

In some embodiments, the collar portion may comprise a slit openingleading from a lower end of the facial opening down into a front panelof the dickie. The slit opening may comprise a first edge having a firstfastening device, and a second edge having a second fastening device,wherein the first fastening device may engage with the second fasteningdevice to secure the first edge and the second edge together. The slitmay thus have an open position and a closed position, the collar portionhaving a larger diameter in the open position, allowing the collarportion to more easily fit over the head of a user, and having a smallerdiameter in the closed position, securing the collar portion around theneck of the user. The first fastening device and the second fasteningdevice may each comprise any device capable of releasably engaging withthe other. In some embodiments, the first fastening device and thesecond fastening device may comprise a button and a hole, a hook and ahole, a clasp and a loop, complementary hook-and-loop materials (e.g.,Velcro), two strings which may be tied together, two sides of a zipper,or other similar complementary fastening devices.

It is to be appreciated, however, that even when the slit opening is inthe open position, the workout garment device may be capable ofremaining on the head and/or shoulders of the user during a vigorousworkout, without falling off

In some embodiments, the facial opening may comprise a large,substantially ovular opening in the front of the hood, the facialopening having a diameter sufficient to fit over the head of a user. Thefacial opening may comprise a shape which is complementary to the shapeof a human face (e.g., substantially ovular), such that when the hood isbeing worn on the head of a user and a drawstring is not tightened, theuser's face is substantially uncovered.

In some embodiments, the facial opening may comprise a drawstringchannel and a drawstring. The drawstring channel may comprise a tubularchannel running around a portion of the perimeter of the facial opening,the drawstring channel having a plurality of drawstring openings. Theplurality of drawstring openings may comprise a first opening and asecond opening, wherein either the first end or the second end of thedrawstring may pass through the first opening, then through the lengthof the drawstring channel, and then out through the second opening,while the other end of the drawstring remains outside of the drawstringchannel. In some embodiments, the drawstring may have a lengthsufficient to pass through the drawstring channel and allow the firstend and second end to extend far enough out of the first and secondopenings such that a user may easily grab the first and second ends andtie them together without reducing the circumference of the facialopening. In some embodiments, the drawstring may comprise a stopper oneach of the first end and second end, the stoppers being operable toprevent the first and second ends from being pulled through the firstand second openings.

The head pocket may describe the back side of the hood and comprise asubstantially semispherical shape. The substantially semispherical shapemay be complementary to the shape of a human head, such that the headpocket may fit comfortably on the head of a user when the hood is beingworn.

The hood may comprise a moisture wicking material capable of wickingsweat from the head and/or neck of a user. In some embodiments, themoisture wicking material may comprise any material having a highcapillary pressure, causing moisture to move along or through themoisture wicking material from an inner surface to an outer surface,while only absorbing a small portion (e.g., from 0% to about 25%, andpreferably from about 0% to about 15%) of the moisture, and having apermeability sufficient to allow the volume of sweat produced during avigorous exercise routine to be pulled from the user's skin and/or hair.Such vigorous exercise routines may include running, bicycling,stationary bicycling, skiing, snowboarding, weight lifting, aerobics,calisthenics, and other similar exercises such as aerobic kickboxing,etc. The moisture wicking material may comprise a combination ofhydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers that in combination absorb moistureand wick the moisture to the surface to maintain a dry condition of thefabric. For example, the hydrophobic fibers may include one or more ofbe polyester, polypropylene, nylon, Gore-Tex, spandex, and otherhydrophobic materials, and the hydrophilic fibers may include one ormore of cotton fibers, bamboo textile, linen, a blend of bamboo andcotton fibers, hemp fibers, a blend of cotton and hemp fibers, Tencel™,micro-modal high-wet-modulus rayon, lyocell, microfiber terry fabric,wool fibers, and other similar moisture absorbing material(s).Hydrophobic materials may be weakly hygroscopic, such as polyesters andpolyacrylonitriles, which have a low water-retention of less than about25%, or non-hygroscopic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.Hydrophilic materials such as cotton (cellulosic materials) or wool tendto be strongly hygroscopic. In such moisture wicking fabric, the fabricmay include about 50% by weight (wt %) to about 90 wt % of hydrophobicmaterial (e.g., about 60 wt % to about 80 wt %, or any value therein)and about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % hydrophilic material (e.g., about 20wt % to about 40 wt %, or any value therein).

In some examples, the moisture wicking fabric may include a first layerof hydrophobic fiber material and a second layer of a mixture ofhydrophobic fibers and hydrophilic fibers. The wicking material may havea first layer comprised substantially entirely of fibers of hydrophobicmaterial (moisture resistant) and a second layer comprised of a mixtureof fibers of hydrophobic material and hydrophilic fibers, whereby thefabric of the first layer is more hydrophobic than the fabric of thesecond layer. In such embodiments, the first layer may include about 90wt % to about 100 wt % hydrophobic material and about 0 wt % to about 10wt % of hydrophilic material, and the second layer may include moisturewicking fabric having about 50% wt % to about 90 wt % of hydrophobicmaterial and about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % hydrophilic material. Insuch embodiments, the first layer may be an inner layer that nay lieagainst the wearer and the second layer may be an outer layerinterfacing with the first layer.

In some embodiments, the dickie may comprise a front panel, a backpanel, and a shoulders portion having a neck hole. The front panel maycomprise a length sufficient for a user to raise the front panel up towipe or dab moisture from the user's face and neck. In some embodiments,the front panel may comprise a substantially polygonal shape havingangular corners. In other embodiments, the front panel may comprise alower edge having a rounded shape. In yet other embodiments, the frontpanel may have substantially straight left, right, and lower sides, withrounded corners between the sides.

The front panel may comprise a moisture absorbing fabric. In someembodiments, the moisture absorbing fabric may comprise any materialwhich allows the front panel to be used to quickly and easily absorbsweat from the face and neck of the user via wiping or dabbing. In someembodiments, the moisture absorbing fabric may comprise at least one ofcotton fibers, bamboo textile, linen, a blend of bamboo and cottonfibers, hemp fibers, a blend of cotton and hemp fibers, Tencel™,micromodal high-wet-modulus rayon, microfiber terry fabric, wool fibers,and other similar moisture absorbing material(s). The front panel mayhave a large percentage of moisture absorbing fibers. For example, thefront panel may be made up of about 65% by weight (wt %) to about 100 wt% of moisture absorbing fibers; about 70 wt % to about 95 wt % ofmoisture absorbing fibers; about 75 wt % to about 90 wt % of moistureabsorbing fibers; or any value or range of values therein. The remainingmaterial in the moisture absorbing layer may be hydrophobic material orother materials.

In some examples, the front panel may include a first layer of moistureabsorbing fabric and a second layer of a moisture wicking fabric. Themoisture absorbing layer may be the outer layer and may be made up ofabout 65% by weight (wt %) to about 100 wt % of moisture absorbingfibers; about 70 wt % to about 95 wt % of moisture absorbing fibers;about 75 wt % to about 90 wt % of moisture absorbing fibers; or anyvalue or range of values therein. The moisture wicking layer may be aninner layer and may be comprised of a mixture of fibers of hydrophobicmaterial and hydrophilic fibers and may include moisture wicking fabrichaving about 50% wt % to about 90 wt % of hydrophobic material and about10 wt % to about 50 wt % hydrophilic material. The combination of theabsorbing layer and the wicking layer allows the wearer to easily removesweat and moisture from their body surfaces (e.g., face) using the outerabsorbing layer and some of the moisture in the absorbing layer may bewicked away from the surface of the person underlying the front panel bythe wicking layer. The wicking layer may also provide a barrier to themovement of the moisture from the absorbing layer toward any underlyinggarment or skin.

In some examples, the front panel may include a first layer of moistureabsorbing fabric and at least one additional layer of a moisture wickingfabric and/or a moisture resistant fabric. The moisture absorbing layermay be the outer layer and may be made up of about 65% by weight (wt %)to about 100 wt % of moisture absorbing fibers; about 70 wt % to about95 wt % of moisture absorbing fibers; about 75 wt % to about 90 wt % ofmoisture absorbing fibers; or any value or range of values therein. Theat least one additional layer may be a moisture wicking layer may be aninner layer and may be comprised of a mixture of fibers of hydrophobicmaterial and hydrophilic fibers and may include moisture wicking fabrichaving about 50% wt % to about 90 wt % of hydrophobic material and about10 wt % to about 50 wt % hydrophilic material. The at least oneadditional layer may be about 90 wt % to about 100 wt % hydrophobicmaterial and about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of hydrophilic material. Insuch examples, the front panel may include an absorbing layer, a wickinglayer, and a moisture resistant layer, where the absorbing layer is theouter layer, the moisture resistant layer is an inner layer, and thewicking layer may be sandwiched between the absorbing layer and themoisture resistant layer. The combination of the absorbing layer and theat least one additional layer allows the wearer to easily remove sweatand moisture from their body surfaces (e.g., face) using the outerabsorbing layer and some of the moisture in the absorbing layer may bewicked away from the surface of the person underlying the front panel bythe wicking layer. The combination of the wicking layer and moistureresistant layer may also provide a barrier to the movement of themoisture from the absorbing layer toward any underlying garment or skin.

In some embodiments, the outer moisture-absorbing fabric of the frontpanel may include loop-textured fabric (e.g., the same or similar toterry cloth, poodle cloth, ratiné, bouclé, or bouclette) that isoperable to attach effectively to a Velcro-style hook fasteningmechanism. In such embodiments, the garment may includeattachable-detachable fabric patches that can be positioned at variouspositions on the front panel, the patches having an outer absorbent sideand an inner side that includes a Velcro-style hook fastening materialoperable to interlace with and attach to the loop-textured fabric of thefront panel. The patches may include an outer layer of absorbingmaterial as described herein and an inner layer of compressible materiallocated between the absorbing layer and the inner side fasteningmaterial, such as foam padding, high density upholstery foam, compressedpolyester, polyester fiberfill, medium density polyurethaneantimicrobial foam, high density polyurethane foam, dry fast open cellfoam, and combinations thereof In some embodiments, the patches mayinclude dry fast open cell foam in order to improve the ability of thepatch to air dry quickly. Such foam includes open cell foam has openpores that allow water and air to flow through easily and allow airdrying of moisture that moves via capillary action from the outerabsorbing material to the foam. The patches may be soft and compressibleto provide a comfortable and gentle surface to wipe sweat from thewearer's face. The garment may include a plurality of patches that canbe attached and removed to the preferences of the wearer.

In some embodiments, the shoulder portion may comprise a material whichis the same as the material of the back panel. In yet other embodiments,the shoulders portion may comprise a moisture wicking material adjacentto the back panel, and a moisture absorbing material adjacent to thefront panel.

In some embodiments, the front panel may comprise a slit openingextending at least part way down the front panel. The slit opening maybe integral with the slit opening of the collar portion of the hood,wherein a single slit extends down from a lower end of the facialopening to at least part way down the front panel. The slit opening maycomprise a first edge having a first fastening device, and a second edgehaving a second fastening device, wherein the first fastening device mayengage with the second fastening device to secure the first edge and thesecond edge together. In some embodiments, the fist fastening device andthe second fastening device may comprise at least one of a button and ahole, a hook and a hole, a clasp and a loop, complementary hook-and-loopmaterials (e.g., Velcro), two strings which may be tied together, twosides of a zipper, and other similar complementary fastening device(s).

In some embodiments, the back panel may comprise a substantiallypolygonal shape having angular corners. In other embodiments, the backpanel may comprise a lower edge having a rounded shape. In yet otherembodiments, the back panel may comprise substantially straight left,right, and lower sides, with rounded corners between the sides. In someembodiments, the back panel may comprise a length substantially equal tothe length of the front panel. In other embodiments, the back panel maycomprise a shorter or longer length than the front panel. In someembodiments, the back panel may comprise a moisture wicking material. Inother embodiments, the back panel may comprise a moisture absorbingmaterial. The patches may each be in various geometric shapes, includingcircular, various polygonal shapes (e.g., rectangular, square,triangular, rhomboid, trapezoidal, etc.), or irregular shapes likestars. Each of the patches may have a pillow-like construction thatprotrudes in a rounded fashion from the surface of the front panel.

The back panel may comprise a pocket. In some embodiments, the pocketmay comprise a substantially horizontal pocket opening located at anupper end of the back panel. In some embodiments, the pocket opening maycomprise a width greater than a diameter of the collar portion, allowingthe hood to be easily tucked into the pocket in a generally flatorientation such that there is little or no bunching of material. Inother embodiments, the pocket opening may comprise a width smaller thana diameter of the collar portion of the hood (e.g., having a widthsufficient to hold a smart phone or a wallet).

In some embodiments, the pocket opening may comprise a fastening deviceto secure the pocket opening in a closed position. The fastening deviceof the pocket opening may comprise any device capable of releasablysecuring the pocket opening in a closed position. In some embodiments,the fastening device of the pocket opening may comprise at least one ofa button and a hole, a hook and a hole, a clasp and a loop,complementary hook-and-loop materials (e.g., Velcro), a zipper, andother similar fastening device(s).

The shoulders portion may be disposed between the front panel and backpanel of the dickie and comprise a centrally disposed, substantiallycircular neck opening. In some embodiments, the shoulders portion maycomprise a substantially polygonal shape (e.g., a rectangular shape or ahexagonal shape having two longer opposite sides at the front and backof the shoulders portion). In other embodiments, the shoulders portionmay have two substantially straight sides at the front and back, and twosubstantially curved sides at the left shoulder and right shoulder ofthe user. In some embodiments, the shoulders portion may comprise a slitopening running from the neck opening to the front panel, the slitopening being integral with a slit opening of the collar portion of thehood and a slit opening of the front panel. In some embodiments, theslit opening of the shoulders portion may comprise a first edge having afirst fastening device, and a second edge having a second fasteningdevice. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening devices ofthe slit opening of the shoulders portion may each be the same type offastening device as the first and second fastening devices of the slitopening of the collar portion, respectively (e.g., complementaryhook-and-loop materials or complementary sides of a zipper).

In some embodiments, the shoulders portion may comprise a moisturewicking material. In other embodiments, the shoulders portion maycomprise a moisture absorbing material. In some embodiments, theshoulders portion may comprise the same material as, and may be integralwith, the front panel. In other embodiments, the shoulders portion maycomprise the same material as, and be integral with, the hood. In yetother embodiments, the shoulders portion may comprise the same materialas, and be integral with, the back panel. In yet other embodiments, theshoulders portion may comprise a moisture wicking material adjacent tothe back panel and a back side of the hood, and a moisture absorbingmaterial adjacent to the front panel and a front side of the hood.

The materials of the garment may include a non-toxic and non-allergenicantimicrobial material to reduce or prevent the growth of bacteria,fungus, and other microbes on the materials, and aid in reducing odor inthe garment. For example, the fabrics and materials in the garments mayinclude triclosan, chitosan, silver, and quaternary ammonium compoundsthat can be applied to the materials through treatments such asembedding an antimicrobial agent into the bulk material duringprocessing during the production of the material or by applying asurface coating or modification as a chemical or physical finishingtreatment.

The invention is broadly described herein and several exemplaryembodiments are described to illustrate the invention. It is intendedthat the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only,with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by theclaims herein. Descriptions of exemplary embodiments follow immediatelybelow.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a workout garmentcomprising a hood, the hood comprising a moisture-wicking material; afront panel comprising a moisture-absorbing material at an outer surfaceof the front panel; and a back panel comprising a moisture-wickingmaterial. The front panel and the back panel may be connected by ashoulders portion. The back panel may comprise a pocket. The pocket maycomprise an opening having fastening device. The pocket may furthercomprise a passage to an interior of the workout garment. The frontpanel comprises a slit, the slit comprising a fastening device. Theshoulders portion comprises both the moisture wicking material and themoisture absorbing material. The moisture absorbing material maycomprise at least one of cotton fibers, polymer coated cotton fibers, ablend of bamboo and cotton fibers, hemp fibers, a blend of cotton andhemp fibers, synthetic microfiber material, or wool fibers. The frontpanel may be operable to cover a portion of the chest of the wearer anddoes not connect with the back panel below the shoulder area. Thegarment may not include sleeves, and the back panel is operable to covera portion of the upper back of the wearer and does not connect with thefront panel below the shoulder area.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a workout garmentfor keeping a user dry and cool, the workout garment comprising a hoodhaving a facial opening, the hood comprising a moisture wicking materialfor wicking sweat from the user's head and neck; a front panelcomprising a moisture absorbing material for absorbing sweat from auser's face or neck, and a slit; a back panel comprising the moisturewicking material and a pocket having an opening for storing personalitems; and a shoulders portion comprising the moisture wicking materialand the moisture absorbing material. The pocket may further comprise afastening device for securing the personal items in the pocket, and apassage operable to receive a wire from an interior of the pocket to aninterior of the workout garment. The front panel may be operable tocover a portion of the chest of the wearer and does not connect with theback panel below the shoulder area. The workout garment may not includesleeves, and the back panel is operable to cover a portion of the upperback of the wearer and does not connect with the front panel below theshoulder area.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of using a workoutgarment, comprising donning the workout garment comprising a hoodcomprising a moisture-wicking material, a front panel comprising amoisture-absorbing material at an outer surface of the front panel, anda back panel comprising a moisture-wicking material; and utilizing thefront panel to wipe sweat from the face or neck. The workout garment mayfurther comprise a front panel with a slit having a first fasteningdevice, and further comprising fastening the first fastening device. Theback panel may have a pocket, and further comprising putting a personalitem into the pocket. The method may further include stuffing the hoodinto the pocket. The garment may further comprise removable patchesattachable to the front panel, the patches comprising a secondmoisture-absorbing material.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a workout garmentcomprising a hood, the hood comprising a moisture-wicking material; afront panel comprising a moisture-absorbing material at an outer surfaceof the front panel; and a back panel comprising a moisture-wickingmaterial. The front panel and the back panel may be connected by ashoulders portion. The back panel may comprise a pocket. The pocket maycomprise an opening having fastening device. The pocket may furthercomprise a passage to an interior of the workout garment. The frontpanel may comprise a slit, the slit comprising a fastening device. Theshoulder portion may comprise both the moisture wicking material and themoisture absorbing material. The moisture wicking material may comprisea combination of at least one hydrophobic material and at least onehydrophilic material, and a wt % of the at least one hydrophobicmaterial is greater than a wt % of the at least one hydrophilicmaterial. The moisture absorbing material may comprise at least one ofcotton fibers, polymer coated cotton fibers, a blend of bamboo andcotton fibers, hemp fibers, a blend of cotton and hemp fibers, syntheticmicrofiber material, or wool fibers. The front panel may be operable tocover a portion of the chest of the wearer and does not connect with theback panel below the shoulder area. The garment may not include sleeves,and the back panel may be operable to cover a portion of the upper backof the wearer and does not connect with the front panel below theshoulder area. The garment may further comprise removable patchesattachable to the front panel, the patches comprising a secondmoisture-absorbing fabric.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a workout garmentfor keeping a user dry and cool, the workout garment comprising a hoodhaving a facial opening, the hood comprising a moisture wicking fabricfor wicking sweat from the user's head and neck; a front panelcomprising a moisture absorbing fabric for absorbing sweat from a user'sface or neck, and a slit; a back panel comprising the moisture wickingfabric and a pocket having an opening for storing personal items; and ashoulders portion comprising the moisture wicking fabric. The pocket mayfurther comprise a fastening device for securing the personal items inthe pocket, and a passage operable to receive a wire from an interior ofthe pocket to an interior of the workout garment. The front panel may beoperable to cover a portion of the chest of the wearer and does notconnect with the back panel below the shoulder area. The workout garmentmay not include sleeves, and the back panel may be operable to cover aportion of the upper back of the wearer and does not connect with thefront panel below the shoulder area.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using aworkout garment, comprising donning the workout garment comprising ahood comprising a moisture-wicking fabric, a front panel comprising amoisture-absorbing fabric at an outer surface of the front panel, and aback panel comprising the moisture-wicking fabric; and utilizing thefront panel to wipe sweat from the face or neck. The workout garment mayfurther comprise a front panel with a slit having a first fasteningdevice, and further comprising fastening the first fastening device. Thegarment may further comprise removable patches attachable to the frontpanel, the patches comprising a second moisture-absorbing fabric, andfurther comprising utilizing the patch to wipe sweat from the face orneck.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a workout garmentdevice which wicks sweat from the skin and/or hair of a user.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a workoutgarment device which may be used to absorb sweat from a user's face andneck via wiping or dabbing.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a workoutgarment device which does not need to be carried by hand or fastenedtogether in order to remain on the user during vigorous exercises.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a workoutgarment device which can keep the head of a user warm during lessvigorous exercises.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a workoutgarment device which does not insulate heat from leaving the torso of auser.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a workoutgarment device which can securely hold personal items, mobile devices,or other music players.

Additional aspects and objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe detailed descriptions and the claims herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a frontal view of a workout garment device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a frontal view of a workout garment device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of a workout garment device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a rear view of a workout garment device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides a side view of a workout garment device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides a top-down view of a workout garment device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 provides a bottom-up view of a workout garment device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 provides a frontal view of a workout garment device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides a side view of a workout garment device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 provides a side view of a workout garment device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides an overhead view of a workout garment device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in reference to theseembodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limitthe invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In thefollowing disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referringto FIGS. 1-11, it is seen that the present invention includes variousembodiments of a workout garment device.

The present invention relates to an improved workout garment devicecapable of wicking sweat from the head of a user and absorbing sweatfrom the face and neck of the user. The device may include a hood, adickie, and a pocket.

FIGS. 1-11 provide several views of a workout garment device 100,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The workout garmentdevice 100 may comprise a hood 110 comprising a moisture wickingmaterial 111, a dickie 120 comprising a moisture absorbing material 121,and a pocket 130 for securely holding personal items and/or mobiledevices, or for stowing the hood 110 when not in use.

The hood 110 may comprise a collar portion 112, a facial opening 113,and a head pocket 114. The collar portion 112 may comprise acircumferential extension (e.g., a substantially tubular shape) capableof wrapping about a neck of a user 101. The collar portion 112 mayextend from the neck hole 125 of the dickie 120 to the facial opening113 and head pocket 114 of the hood 110. In some embodiments, the collarportion 112 may comprise an elasticity such that it may stretchoutwardly in order to fit over the head of the user 101 and then retractto fit snugly on the neck of the user 101.

The collar portion 112 may comprise a slit opening 140 leading from alower end of the facial opening 113 down into a front panel 122 of thedickie 120. The slit opening 140 may comprise a first edge having afirst fastening device, and a second edge having a second fasteningdevice, wherein the first fastening device may engage with the secondfastening device to secure the first edge and the second edge togetherin a closed position. The fist fastening device and the second fasteningdevice may comprise at least one of a button and a hole, a hook and ahole, a clasp and a loop, complementary hook-and-loop materials (e.g.,Velcro), complementary sides of a zipper, and other similarcomplementary fastening device(s). It is to be appreciated, however,that even when the first fastening device and second fastening deviceare not engaged and the slit opening 140 is in an open position (notshown), the workout garment device 100 may remain on the head and/orshoulders of the user 101 during a vigorous workout, without falling off

The facial opening 113 may comprise a large, substantially ovularopening in the front of the hood 110, the facial opening 113 having adiameter sufficient to fit over the head of a user 101. The facialopening 113 may comprise a shape which is complementary to the shape ofa human face (e.g., substantially ovular), such that when the hood 110is being worn on the head of a user 101 and a drawstring 115 is nottightened, the user's face is substantially uncovered. The facialopening may comprise a drawstring channel and a drawstring 115. Thedrawstring channel may comprise a tubular channel running around aportion of the circumference of the facial opening 113, the drawstringchannel having a plurality of drawstring openings 116. The drawstringmay comprise a plurality of stoppers 117 at the drawstring's ends.

The head pocket 114 may be located on the back side of the hood 110 andcomprise a substantially semispherical shape. The substantiallysemispherical shape may be complementary to the shape of a human head,such that the head pocket 114 may fit comfortably on the head of a user101 when the hood 110 is being worn.

The hood 110 may comprise a moisture wicking material 111 capable ofwicking sweat from the head and/or neck of a user 101. The moisturewicking material 111 may comprise moisture wicking fabric as describedherein.

The dickie 120 may comprise a front panel 122, a back panel 123, and ashoulders portion 124, the shoulders portion 124 comprising a neck hole125. The front panel 122 may comprise a length sufficient for the user101 to raise the front panel 122 up to wipe or dab moisture from theuser's face and/or neck. The front panel 122 may comprise asubstantially polygonal shape having rounded corners and may comprise amoisture absorbing fabric 121. The moisture absorbing material 121 may amoisture wicking fabric as described herein.

The back panel 123 may comprise a substantially polygonal shape havingrounded corners and a length substantially equal to a length of thefront panel 122. The back panel 123 may comprise a moisture wickingfabric 111 as described herein and be integral with the shouldersportion 124.

The back panel 123 may comprise a pocket 130. The pocket 130 maycomprise a substantially horizontal pocket opening 131 located at anupper end of the back panel 123. The pocket opening 131 may comprise awidth greater than a diameter of the collar portion 112, allowing thehood 110 to be easily tucked into the pocket 130 in a generally flatorientation such that there is little or no bunching of material. Thepocket 130 may further comprise a small diameter passage 132 such thatwire(s) of earphones running from a music player or other mobile devicein the pocket 130 may pass through the passage 132 and to the ear(s) ofthe user 101 without having to wrap around the outside of the hood 110.The passage 132 may lead to channels 132 a that allow the passage ofheadphones into the interior of the hood 100—see FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 7, the shoulders portion 124 may be disposed betweenthe front panel 122 and back panel 123 of the dickie 120 and maycomprise a centrally disposed, substantially circular neck opening 125.The shoulders portion 124 may comprise a substantially polygonal shape(e.g., a rectangular shape or a hexagonal shape having two longeropposite sides at the front and back of the shoulders portion 124). Theshoulders portion 124 may comprise a slit opening 140 running from theneck opening 125 to the front panel 122, the slit opening 140 beingintegral to the slit opening of the collar portion 112 of the hood 110and the slit opening of the front panel 122. The shoulders portion 124may comprise a moisture wicking fabric 111 adjacent to the back paneland a back side of the hood, and be integral with the back panel 123. Inalternative embodiments, the shoulders portion 124 may comprise amoisture absorbing fabric 121 adjacent to the front panel 122 and beintegral with the front panel 122.

FIGS. 8-10 show the garment 100 with patches 140 incorporated thereon.The outer surface of the absorbent fabric 121 of the front panel 120 mayinclude loop-textured fabric (e.g., the same or similar to terry cloth,poodle cloth, ratiné, bouclé, or bouclette) that is operable to attacheffectively to a Velcro-style hook fastening mechanism. The garment 100may include attachable-detachable fabric patches 140 that can bepositioned at various positions on the front panel 120, the patches 140having an outer absorbent side and an inner side that includes aVelcro-style hook fastening material operable to interlace with andattach to the loop-textured fabric of the front panel 120. The patches140 may include an outer layer of absorbing material as described hereinand an inner layer of compressible material located between theabsorbing layer and the inner side fastening material, as describedherein. The patches 140 may each be in various geometric shapes,including circular, various polygonal shapes (e.g., rectangular, square,triangular, rhomboid, trapezoidal, etc.), or irregular shapes likestars. Each of the patches 140 may have a pillow-like construction thatprotrudes in a rounded fashion from the surface of the front panel 120.

It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specificembodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviouslymany modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed:
 1. A workout garment comprising: a. a hood, said hoodcomprising a moisture-wicking material; b. a front panel comprising amoisture-absorbing material at an outer surface of the front panel; andc. a back panel comprising a moisture-wicking material.
 2. The garmentof claim 1, wherein said front panel and said back panel are connectedby a shoulders portion.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said backpanel comprises a pocket.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein said pocketcomprises an opening having fastening device.
 5. The garment of claim 4,wherein said pocket further comprises a passage to an interior of saidworkout garment.
 1. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panelcomprises a slit, said slit comprising a fastening device.
 7. Thegarment of claim 2, wherein said shoulders portion comprises both saidmoisture wicking material and said moisture absorbing material.
 8. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein said moisture wicking material comprises acombination of at least one hydrophobic material and at least onehydrophilic material, and a wt % of said at least one hydrophobicmaterial is greater than a wt % of said at least one hydrophilicmaterial.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein said moisture absorbingmaterial comprises at least one of cotton fibers, polymer coated cottonfibers, a blend of bamboo and cotton fibers, hemp fibers, a blend ofcotton and hemp fibers, synthetic microfiber material, or wool fibers.10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front panel is operable to covera portion of the chest of the wearer and does not connect with the backpanel below the shoulder area.
 11. The garment of claim 10, wherein thegarment does not include sleeves, and the back panel is operable tocover a portion of the upper back of the wearer and does not connectwith the front panel below the shoulder area.
 12. A workout garment forkeeping a user dry and cool, said workout garment comprising: a. a hoodhaving a facial opening, said hood comprising a moisture wicking fabricfor wicking sweat from said user's head and neck; b. a front panelcomprising a moisture absorbing fabric for absorbing sweat from a user'sface or neck, and a slit; c. a back panel comprising said moisturewicking fabric and a pocket having an opening for storing personalitems; and d. a shoulders portion comprising said moisture wickingfabric.
 13. The garment of claim 12, wherein said pocket furthercomprises a fastening device for securing said personal items in saidpocket, and a passage operable to receive a wire from an interior ofsaid pocket to an interior of said workout garment.
 14. The garment ofclaim 12, wherein the front panel is operable to cover a portion of thechest of the wearer and does not connect with the back panel below theshoulder area.
 15. The garment of claim 12, wherein the workout garmentdoes not include sleeves, and the back panel is operable to cover aportion of the upper back of the wearer and does not connect with thefront panel below the shoulder area.
 16. A method of using a workoutgarment, comprising: a. donning said workout garment comprising i. ahood comprising a moisture-wicking fabric, ii. a front panel comprisinga moisture-absorbing fabric at an outer surface of the front panel, andiii. a back panel comprising said moisture-wicking fabric; b. utilizingsaid front panel to wipe sweat from the face or neck.
 17. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said workout garment further comprises a front panelwith a slit having a first fastening device, and further comprisingfastening said first fastening device.
 18. The method of claim 16,wherein said garment further comprises removable patches attachable tosaid front panel, said patches comprising a second moisture-absorbingfabric, and further comprising utilizing said patch to wipe sweat fromthe face or neck.
 19. The garment of claim 1, further comprisingremovable patches attachable to said front panel, said patchescomprising a second moisture-absorbing material.
 12. The garment ofclaim 12, further comprising removable patches attachable to said frontpanel, said patches comprising a second moisture-absorbing fabric.